Bradstreet

January 29, 2001

votes no pay hike

By JEFFREY HOGAN

LANSING - When Ken Bradstreet decided to run for state's 105th House District nearly two years ago it was with the intention and honor to provide several years of public service to the residents of a five-county area of nor-thern Michigan, including his hometown of Gaylord - never to earn a lot of money.

But that's exactly what will occur, even if he doesn't want it.

Easily re-elected to the office last November for a second two-year term, Bradstreet and the Legislature recently returned to work and into a storm of controversy. At issue is a pay hike recommended by the State Officers Compensation Commission (SOCC), by which legislators would see their salaries increase from $57,000 to $77,400 this year and $79,650 in 2002, giving them a 39 percent raise over the two-year period.

The state House on Thursday voted 100-6 to reject a $20,000 pay raise, but GOP Senate Majority Leader Dan DeGrow said again that no vote is likely in the Senate.

Advertisement

Unless two-thirds of both the House and Senate reject the pay increase, pay raises for lawmakers, Gov. John Engler, Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus and Supreme Court justices will automatically take effect next Thursday. The salary increases are expected to cost the state about $8 million over two years.

State House members, including Bradstreet, voted to reject the pay raise after a short speech by GOP House Speaker Rick Johnson of LeRoy, who asked representatives to vote their conscience.

"Is it the right recommendation? I can honestly tell you that I don't know," Johnson said. "The problem here is it's such a huge increase at one time."

Commented Bradstreet, "I think most people would agree that all workers need pay adjustments from time to time to keep up with the rising costs of living. However, the proposed increase the commission developed is excessive for a one-time adjustment."

He continued, "Our government must be accountable, and that starts with those of us who are serving. I don't see how anyone in good conscience could approve this proposal. It's just not representative of what happens in the real job market, and gives reasons for people to further distrust elected officials and our democratic system."

Legislators can only stop the SOCC salary increase recommendation if two-thirds of both chambers vote against them. The resolution to reject the increase now goes to the Senate where it must be passed before Feb. 1 or the raises automatically take effect.

A number of senators, including DeGrow, said it's time legislators are paid more for the job.

"I just believe that $77,000 is a fair salary for what we're asked to do and the responsibilities we're asked to undertake," DeGrow said. "We're asked to make tough decisions that affect the lives of a lot of people, and given the decisions my colleagues make day in and day out."

Lawmakers voting to accept the pay raise were Democrats Rose Bogardus of Davison, Jack Minore of Flint, Nancy Quarles of Southfield, Vera Rison of Mount Morris and John Hansen of Dexter and Bill McConico of Detroit.

Three Democratic lawmakers didn't vote: Dale Sheltrown of West Branch and Keith Stallworth and Samuel Thomas, both of Detroit.

DeGrow says the pay raise is needed to help attract qualified candidates to the Legislature in an era of term limits, which limit House members to three two-year terms and senators to two four-year terms.

The raise would make Michigan lawmakers the third-highest paid in the nation behind lawmakers in California and New York. Both have full-time legislatures, as does Michigan.

The pay raises would give Engler and the justices a total raise of 17 percent over the two years, while Posthumus would get a 23 percent raise. Engler, who now gets $151,200, would get $172,000 this year and $177,000 in 2002. Posthumus would see his salary go from $100,700 to $120,400 this year and $123,900 in 2002.

The justices' salaries would go from $140,800 to $159,960 this year and $164,610 in 2002. Since raises for appeals, circuit, district and probate judges are tied to Supreme Court salaries, 600 judges would get salary boosts if the pay raises take effect.

Thirty-five senators would see their pension increase by about $13,200 per year if the salary increase is approved, since senators' pensions are based on a formula that includes final salary and number of years served.

State lawmakers' $10,000 expense allowance also would increase to $12,000 under the pay raise recommendations.

A number of House members have spoken out against the high pay increase, calling it unfair and unjustifiable at a time when the economy appears to be slowing down. "I didn't come to Lansing to make money for myself," said Bradstreet. "That's not what this should be about. This comes at a bad time when a lot of people are losing their jobs, even in Gaylord, so I think this will really bother a lot of people. It's not right."